In a city of 1.1 million people, there are many, many heroes. Yesterday, heroes rode up like cowboys in a wild west movie ridin’ in to save the day.

It takes 5,000+ volunteers to stage the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and yesterday their hard work, dedication and commitment paid off. The parade was spectacular and later, going to the exhibition grounds and taking in all the free activities was a blast. From Cattle Penning to miniature horse chuck wagon racing to Superdogs, to Recycled Percussion (WOW! — if you’re here in Calgary, don’t miss their free show on the Bell Stage — WOW!)  to Hoop Dancing — the day had it all. And, once the nominal fee of $16.00 was paid to get through the gates, it was all free!

The Calgary Exhibition & Stampede — you’re all heroes!

When we got to the spot we wanted to sit to watch the parade, it was already pretty busy. We were fortunate, we found a spot right at the front for our two chairs, settled in and got ready for the spectacle to begin. We only had two hours to wait — beside us were two men who, eager to get ‘the best seats in the house’ set up chairs for their families and friends at 5am!  They packed all the chairs and paraphenalia for about 15 people down and waited it out (Starbucks around the corner doesn’t even open until 6:30). What’s amazing is that all along the parade route, there were hundreds, if not thousands of others who did the same thing. Got there early, set up the chairs and held the space for their family and friends to arrive.

Those who organize community spaces along the parade route, get there early and sit out the pre-dawn chill are heroes!

After watching the Hoop Dancer at the opening ceremonies for the Indian Village which, along with the Stampede turns 100 this year, my cousin’s daughter, Elise, my daughter Liseanne and I wandered through the teepees, watched a bannock cookout in process, listened to stories of our First Nations and, Elise and Liseanne had their photo taken with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (mountie) all dressed up in his red serge uniform. They were not the only ones. People kept coming up to him and asking to have their photo taken and he graciously complied. His patience, good humour and grace were inspiring.

The mountie in red at the Indian Village is a hero!

The grounds are kept swept and cleared of debris throughout the day through youth from the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary. Where ever you go on the exhibition grounds you see them in their green shirts, bags and garbage picker upper sticks at the ready. A million people will go through the grounds throughout the hottest ten days of summer — and you will barely notice their passing because of the hard work of these youth.

The Boys and Girls Club of Calgary and the youth who keep the grounds clean are all heroes!

Calgarians are amazing. Friendly. Open. Willing to share information, give directions, offer assistance when needed. I saw it throughout the day yesterday. It didn’t matter where we were, walking to the parade route to set up, meeting my daughter for lunch at a local restaurant on the way to the exhibition grounds, standing in line to purchase our entry tickets to the grounds, walking around the grounds, enjoying just a small sampling of all the free entertainment on the grounds — there was someone smiling, offering up information, pointing out something to someone, taking photos for guests, just generally being of service. Wow!

Calgarians are heroes!  Yahoo!

Who are your heroes today? Be on the lookout where ever you go and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Heroes are everywhere!